Central Java Farmers Protest Low Egg Prices from State Nutrition Program

Poultry farmers in Central Java are voicing strong objections to the State Service for Nutritional Fulfillment (SPPG) purchasing eggs at prices below the government's reference price (HAP). Suwardi, Chairman of the Central Java Poultry Farmers Cooperative (KPUS), questioned the price discrepancies, noting that some SPPGs commit to buying eggs at 26,000 Indonesian rupiah per kilogram, while others offer as little as 21,000 rupiah.

Suwardi stated that KPUS, which represents 1,767 farmers across 10 districts, has received reports of eggs being sold below the HAP. He highlighted that while some SPPGs in the same sub-district pay the agreed-upon 26,000 rupiah, others offer significantly lower prices. "If we want to audit together, what is the basis for those who buy low?" Suwardi asked, suspecting illicit dealings within the SPPG egg procurement process.

He expressed dismay that SPPGs, which manage state funds, are buying eggs at 21,000-22,000 rupiah when the HAP set by the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Food Agency (Bapanas) is 26,500 rupiah per kilogram at the farm gate. "If this is the situation, we are not supporting each other; we are stepping on each other," Suwardi added, questioning who is expected to comply with the HAP if it is disregarded so significantly.

The farmers are facing mounting operational costs due to soaring feed prices, which have increased fourfold in the past two months, while the HAP has remained unchanged and egg prices have fallen. Suwardi urged for the price issue to be resolved, requesting that eggs for the MBG program be priced at 26,000 rupiah per kilogram. He noted this is still below the HAP of 26,500 rupiah, allowing a buffer for farmers, provided the MBG cooperative managers do not take excessive cuts.